Jeremy Facknitz

CD Download

Recorded, engineered and mixed by Jarrod Headley at Northpark Studios in Colorado Springs, Colorado from February 2019 through January 2020.

Studio assistant, Levi Jones.

Mastered by Clint Wagoner at Clint Wagoner Mastering, Dallas, Texas.

Album artwork and design by David Probst.

All music by Jeremy Facknitz.

All lyrics by Jeremy Facknitz except THE BEST THAT WE CAN, lyrics by Jeremy Facknitz and Edward Keneski.

All string arrangements by Jeremy Facknitz except MOTHERLAND, arranged by Jeremy Facknitz and Roma Ransom (Grace Easley and Gordon Lewis), HEAD ON, arranged by Jeremy Facknitz and Jarrod Headley, and THE BEST THAT WE CAN, arranged by Mary Lindsay, David Siegel, Jarrod Headley and Jeremy Facknitz.

Guest musicians include Ricky Sweum; sax on BALLET OF AN UNHATCHED CHICK, Jeremy Van Hoy; trombone on BALLET OF AN UNHATCHED CHICK, Mary Lindsay; cello on HEAD ON, WATCH THIS BIRD FLY, LONGEST SHORTEST, MOTHERLAND, LOVE SO BIG and THE BEST THAT WE CAN, Marc Niehof; concert bass on HEAD ON, LONGEST SHORTEST and MOTHERLAND, Eric Blackmore; lead guitar on SON OF A and LITTLE DEVILS, Matt Podschweit, Hammond B3 on LITTLE DEVILS, and Gary Coleman; native American-style flute on MOTHERLAND.

Jarrod Headley plays electric guitars and drums on HEAD ON, and rhythm electric guitars on MOTHERLAND and BALLET OF AN UNHATCHED CHICK. John Standish and Lindsay Facknitz sing harmonies on LOVE SO BIG. Lindsay Facknitz (Jeremy’s wife) also sings harmonies on THE BEST THAT WE CAN. Deborah Facknitz (Jeremy’s mom) and 5 year-old Elaine Facknitz (Jeremy’s daughter) sing on LONGEST SHORTEST. Erick Facknitz (Jeremy’s dad) whistles on HEAD ON. Jeremy Facknitz Band and Lindsay Facknitz make noises and sing back-ups on BALLET OF AN UNHATCHED CHICK and LITTLE DEVILS.

THANK YOU

To the band (Mike, David, Brad and John), words cannot express. This record is as much yours as it is mine. Producer Jarrod Headley, you’re a champ. You mixed extreme professionalism with extreme fun and my gut still hurts from the laughs we had in the studio. Guest musicians Ricky, Mary, Eric, Marc, Gary, Matt and Jeremy, you gave your all to the cause and I’ll forever love you for it. The monthly songwriters group of Edie Carey, Lindsay Facknitz and Edward Keneski, thank you for the great suggestions, but mostly for the encouragement you showered on me at a time when I really needed it.

Special thank-you to my wife Lindsay, you made this album as well as this dream possible. My children, Elaine and Evan, oh the joy you bring me! My life would be so dull without you.

Also thanks to my parents Rick and Deb, sister Kara, brother and life-long musical co-hort Jarod, and my extended family and in-laws. The team behind the scenes; Lila Mori, Kayla Coleman, Zak Sloan and Sloan Song Studios, David Probst, Gabe Jacobson, Rupert Wates, Ben Pratt, Ken Janzen and CSLCS, Teddy Nazario, Christian Lawrence, Chris Combs, John and Cindy Hooten and Stargazers Theatre, Nick and Lisa Davey, and the Pike’s Peak arts community. All the house concert hosts who first opened their doors to me, with special nods to Gary and Kim DeVilbiss in Colorado Springs, CO, Kathy and Wes at Montgomery Court House Concerts in Mt. Vernon, WA; the Miskey’s in Edmonton, AB and the Hackett’s in Squamish, BC who rekindled my musical relationship with Canada. Also thanks to Roma Ransom, Tim Board, Tri-Lakes Radio, Mark White, KCOS Digital Media, all the radio DJ’s, all the old fans and all the new fans and anyone who has ever come to a show or streamed a song. If I forgot you, type your name here. Thank you, _______________________. See, I was just saving the best for last.

This album is dedicated to some special souls I love dearly who’ve passed on since my last album; my dear grandmothers Pauline Zeigler and Wilma Facknitz, my friend and mentor Ashley Peacock and my former manager Cicily Janus.

This album is also dedicated to anyone who is still out here writing, touring, recording and busting tail with little motivation to do so aside from that annoying little fire inside your belly.

THEY SAY

"In previous albums, Facknitz tried to preserve a power-pop aesthetic that kept his music from being pegged in acoustic lyricist categories. This impressive new album adds layers of instrumentation and polished arrangements, giving tracks the feel of Nick Lowe, Andrew Bird, or even John Darnielle. When an album confronts grief of all sorts and opens with two songs about suicide, it takes careful footwork to prevent a dirge-like ambience. Facknitz proves his transcendence in songs like “Ballet of an Unhatched Chick,” and adds his crowd-pleaser “Love So Big” to make sure everyone goes home happy." - Loring Wirbel, CSindy

"Jeremy's latest record [From Those Sweet Ashes] gets right to the point... great lyrics, great melody, and fascinating production that demands your attention. A lot of heart, mind, and skill went into this." - Fran Snyder, Listening Room Network

"... a native of Detroit, Facknitz enjoys the claim to fame of having beaten out the White Stripes for “Best Alternative Band” at the Detroit music awards in 2001. It’s no surprise either—his music has loads of catchy melodies and rhythmic drive... But what really sets Facknitz apart is his incredibly original lyricism and sense of humor, blended with his own folky, feel-good style." - Ron Logan, 40 oz robot

"Jeremy Facknitz is a one-man acoustic act with the panache needed to become a star, armed with a melodic voice and a truckload of charisma..." - Sydney Hamilton, Colorado Springs Independent

"Jeremy Facknitz is like a singer/songwriter who has been bitten by a radioactive rock star." - Charlie Milo, The Charlie Milo Trio